I remember waking up in the aftermath of the motorcycle accident that gave me a lifelong spinal injury. A friend walked into the hospital room with tears in her eyes and asked me what I was going to do next. Her question was about my job, my living situation — the practical things.

But my mind was already elsewhere, focused on a more fundamental question: What was going to save me? My immediate response was: “Well, a marathon”.

I knew I wasn’t going to let my injury hold me back from sport. I'd always loved sports and it's what I turned to for comfort in my time of struggle. The question was how I was going to participate given my condition. The answer arrived in the form of the Inter Spinal Unit Games, an annual event to encourage sports and activity among patients with spinal injuries.

I participated in the 1996 Games as one of the representatives for my unit. And that’s where I first found wheelchair racing, the sport that was going to be the enduring love of my life.

My sporting journey didn’t start with wheelchair racing though. It began with crown green bowling. This was followed up by a surprising third place in javelin at a national event, the first of its kind I’d ever participated in.

I became quite a prolific athlete after that, regularly participating in track and field events, pentathlons, and most importantly, wheelchair racing. It wasn’t long before I quit other disciplines to focus solely on racing. But I couldn’t have done it without the right Motability vehicles to support my ambition.

Motability is a UK scheme that allows individuals with disabilities to exchange their mobility allowance for a leased vehicle. The scheme covers a lot, from insurance to breakdown cover, helping people with disabilities feel independent.

In 2000, my search for the perfect Motability vehicle led me to a Ford dealership. I needed space for my racing equipment and told them I was looking for 'something like the Ford Mondeo Estate'. That request opened an unexpected door — I learned Ford was also looking for a Motability ambassador.

I wrote a letter to apply for the role and got a swift positive response. That was 26 years ago, and I’ve been an ambassador ever since.

“Being able to change a few lives every year for the better — that’s why I’m still an ambassador over two and a half decades later.”

Jason Richards, Ford Motability ambassador

As an ambassador, I join the Ford Motability team at events to help customers find the right vehicles for their needs. My role is not limited to just the events though. I sometimes get approached in the streets by people looking for advice. I always take time to chat to them and help promote the scheme and Ford's Motability vehicles.

What set Ford’s scheme apart for me early on was the team’s commitment to having ambassadors with disabilities present for Motability events. With countless events under my belt, I’ve noticed few other brands that represent the customers even now.

It’s a sign that Ford genuinely cares, really understands the needs of the customers. My greatest desire as an ambassador has always been to help people find the right vehicle.

Watching the moment of realisation for people, the understanding that we empathise with their needs, is a profound experience. Being able to change a few lives every year for the better — that’s why I’m still an ambassador over two and a half decades later.

On a personal front, I’m proud of my achievements and Ford Motability has been with me every step off the way.

I’m a regular at the Thirsk 10 — a 10-mile event for runners and wheelchair users in my native Yorkshire. My parents live on the route and it’s great to have the family there to support me. In 2000, I drove to my first race in a Mondeo Estate. Last year, I was there again, with my son, in a Grand Tourneo Connect.¹

The vehicles have evolved with me, marking every major milestone. From driving my pregnant wife to the hospital in a Galaxy, to taking my son to his first marathon in my current car, a Capri.²

The Capri is the first electric vehicle I’ve owned, and it has been a real eye opener. Gone is the old anxiety of navigating a petrol station, the awkward transfer, the rush. Now, I simply get home, plug in, and go about my day, saving myself precious time.

Once you overcome the fear of change a new world opens up. Electric vehicles are a step forward in freedom for drivers with disabilities.

Reflecting on everything I have experienced and achieved so far, I am thankful for my incredible journey, a journey that has taken me from a hospital bed to finish lines — and one that is certainly not over yet. Roll on the next 26 years!

Jason Richards is an athlete and a Ford Motability Ambassador

¹ Ford Grand Tourneo Connect CO₂ emissions 143-165 g/km and fuel efficiency 5.4-6.9 l/100 km WLTP. CO₂ emission and fuel efficiency ranges may vary according to vehicle variants offered by individual markets. The declared WLTP fuel/energy consumptions, CO₂-emissions and electric range are determined according to the technical requirements and specifications of the European Regulations (EC) 715/2007 and (EU) 2017/1151 as last amended. The applied standard test procedures enable comparison between different vehicle types and different manufacturers.

² Up to 627 km based on full charge of Capri RWD extended range. Estimated range using Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP). Figures shown are for comparability purposes and should only be compared with other vehicles tested to the same technical procedures. Actual range varies due to factors such as temperature, driving behaviour, route profile, vehicle maintenance, lithium-ion battery age and condition.